Local News – Monday, October, 18th, 2021
Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released a number of reports from cases heard in Dent County in front of Judge Michael Randazzo on Friday, October 15th. The first case heard was Megan Heath-Fisk of Salem who was on probation for the distribution of a controlled substance after completing a Section 559.115 program. At the probation hearing, Heath-Fisk admitted to failing to report and the use of a controlled substance. Prosecutor Curley asked the judge to execute the remainder of her sentence and the defendant asked to be placed in the drug court and continue to be on probation. Judge Randazzo granted continued probation with the drug court over the objection of the state. Also on Friday, Christine Erma Baker of Salem pled guilty to a DWI, a third offense, which is a Class E Felony. Baker was sentenced to four years under the Section 559.115 in the Institutional Treatment Center for a 120-day shock treatment as requested by the prosecutor. Also heard Friday in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court was Mersadie Mansfield of Salem who pled guilty to the distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, and the possession of a controlled substance in a jail. Curley requested the defendant serve 12 years in the Department of Corrections as the drug treatment program. This sentence was defendant had been released on parole at the time of her new offenses. Mansfield requested to be sent to drug court. Judge Randazzo sentenced the defendant to 10-years in the Department of Corrections under the long-term over the objection of the state that requested her full sentences be executed without retaining jurisdiction under Section 217.362.
An accident happened in Dent County Sunday afternoon at 5:20 on Highway 32 east about a mile from Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Ford Taurus driven westbound by 86-year-old Carmon Williams of Salem, pulled out of a private drive into the path of a 2011 Ford Focus driven eastbound by 25-year-old Levi Price of Annapolis. Williams suffered minor injuries and was transported by EMS to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Everyone involved was wearing their seat restraints. Both vehicles sustained extensive damages and were removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.
An accident happened early Friday morning at 5:45 in Maries County on Highway 63 just south of Maries County Road 2009. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2008 Pontiac G5 being driven by 38-year-old Andrea Freeland of Rolla, was northbound when she traveled off the roadway and overturned. Freeland was taken by Maries Osage Ambulance District to Phelps Health Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by Plaza Towing. The report went on to state that Freeland was wearing a safety restraint.
In closed session Tuesday night at the City Hall Council Chambers, the Salem Board of Aldermen voted to approve the purchase of texting services from DoCircle doing business as Trumpia for $6,000. Closed session was then adjourned where the board went back into open n session and adjourned the meeting.
Chairman Shawn Bolerjack has called a meeting of the City of Salem’s Utility Committee for Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@the Armory located at 1200 West Rolla Road. On the agenda will be an update on utility billing along with a financial update. The committee will also review the 1% electric discount, the fee waiver policy, and discuss the audit of the utility billing and the meter project update. Also planned for discussion is the utility billing software, utility bill layout, and the Exceleron pre-paid project update before adjourning. The meeting is open to the public.